The Best Learning Management Systems (2026 Update)
The LMS market is expected to grow up to $37.9 billion by 2026. [1] The highest proportion of revenue contribution is expected to be generated in North America. [2] 41.7% of global Fortune 500 companies now use some form of educational technology to instruct employees during formal learning hours, [3] and roughly half of all college classes will be eLearning-based. [4] AI is also projected to make its appearance dominant. For example, Coursera integrated AI to create personalized recommendations and learning paths back in 2023. It becomes more than evident that online learning and online courses have revolutionized the way we train and educate ourselves, while in-person training falls into obscurity.
Therefore, the demand for LMSs is more pressing than ever. It is more than obvious that eLearning has revolutionized and changed the way we look at knowledge and skill acquisition, and there is an increasing demand for Learning Management System solutions to systematically manage eLearning.
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Trending Learning Management Systems (LMS)
With 1000+ LMS providers and too many LMS features to choose from, we can definitely say that these systems are here to stay! In this article, we will help you find, choose, and compare the best LMS software in the eLearning industry. Our top list will give you special insights about each vendor, including reviews, case studies, and much more.
*Note to all LMS vendors:
If you want to be considered for eLearning Industry's Top Lists, feel free to apply for the Top LMS Software Lists.
Best Learning Management Systems Short List For 2026
If you've clicked on this short list, you're probably highly invested in providing your employees or students with efficient learning opportunities and ensuring student success. Engagement is one of the main issues most companies and educational institutions struggle with. That's why many learners don't complete their courses. So, how can this short list help you and your learners?
- You save time and energy from scouring the internet to find mediocre solutions that may not fit your needs since we have gathered the best solutions for you.
- You gain more clarity on the features and benefits of each Learning Management System's properties and can make informed decisions.
- You feel confident that you've chosen the right provider.
- The right learning solution improves your stakeholder buy-in.
- You can request demos, case studies, and reviews that highlight every provider's properties.
- Communicating with only a handful of top vendors helps you navigate the congested landscape and make your decision faster.
Why Can You Trust Our Software Reviews?
You can trust eLearning Industry's software reviews for several key reasons.
Expert Community
eLearning Industry is powered by a network of eLearning professionals—designers, educators, and developers—who understand the nuances of eLearning tools. Their expertise ensures that reviews in our directory are relevant and credible.
Objective And Transparent
The platform emphasizes unbiased, user-generated reviews, separating them clearly from paid placements. This transparency means you're getting authentic feedback from real users every time you browse around our directories.
Comprehensive Criteria
Reviews on eLearning Industry cover essential aspects like features, usability, support, and pricing. Thorough evaluation provides a balanced view of each software solution.
Verified User Reviews
The platform ensures that feedback in our directories comes from verified users, offering insights based on firsthand experience. This helps you get a realistic understanding of the software's performance in real-world scenarios.
Constantly Updated
eLearning Industry frequently updates its reviews, reflecting changes and new developments in the software. This ensures you're always accessing current, relevant information.
These factors make eLearning Industry a reliable source for trustworthy and insightful software reviews.
Best Learning Management System Lists With Reviews
If your LMS is among the Best Learning Management Systems for 2026, feel free to add this badge to your website!
[This top list is currently being updated. Stay tuned!]
How To Choose A Learning Management System
When searching for the ideal LMS for your company, there are several things you have to consider. You need to identify the factors that will make or break the deal for you when choosing the right Learning Management System. Focus on your unique online training needs and personalized learning paths. The way you evaluate those parameters will help you reach a decision with a good ROI. Delivering courses to higher education institutions and companies is not a one-size-fits-all formula, so you need to assess which learning platform fits your training needs.
What Problem Are You Trying To Solve?
First things first; choosing the right LMS depends on your goals and how it can improve student engagement. There are various ways an LMS can help your business grow. For instance, many companies use LMS platforms for employee onboarding, a common use case. An LMS helps train new hires, teaching them about company culture, standard procedures, product knowledge, and essential skills to succeed in their roles.
Another major use case is employee development and retention. An LMS supports your training goals by offering online courses for skill enhancement, product updates, and even sales training. Keeping employees informed and up to date ensures they stay engaged and grow within the company.
You can also leverage an LMS for customer training, especially if your product is software-based. In the tech industry, educating customers on product usage is crucial for ensuring satisfaction and effective implementation.
Additionally, your LMS can be used for compliance training, sales enablement, or partner training, especially if your business has a global presence. For those focusing on compliance, consider exploring the best compliance training LMS software to meet regulatory requirements effectively.
By using an LMS strategically, you can boost employee performance, improve customer satisfaction, and drive business growth.
Who Will Use It?
There are three types of users that take advantage of LMS systems and educational technology. Admins are responsible for operating the system, managing user accounts, and ensuring personal data and student outcomes are protected and secured. Additionally, they are tasked with configuring the learning platform, including generating reports regarding training needs and outcomes.
Instructors also access a Learning Management System and are responsible for course creation. They design, develop, and deliver complete courses to learners, jumpstart learning through a computer or mobile device, and assess the learning process and overall progress. They differ from admins in that they ensure every learner completes online courses and has a smooth learning experience.
Lastly, learners access a collaborative learning platform, participate in learning programs and product training, and form their own career paths. Development programs should be offered to your company's employees or external collaborators. They may proceed at their own pace and complete assignments based on the suggested deadline without the need for in-person training.
What Other Tools Does It Need To Work With?
A key feature your LMS needs is assessment and testing tools. These tools help your Learning and Development team evaluate how well employees retain knowledge from their training. By assessing performance, trainers can gauge the success of the learning process. For the best ROI on training, consider consulting top content providers.
Another crucial feature is multidevice support, as learning on the go is now common in both corporate and educational settings. Your LMS should be compatible across devices, especially if your employees need flexibility. Prioritizing user-friendly platforms ensures smoother adoption.
For larger companies, customization and branding are important. Customizing your LMS with company logos, gamification, certificates, and more makes eLearning more engaging. Features like multiple languages, dashboards, and role assignments further enhance the experience.
Some organizations benefit from a catalog feature, which allows for easy management and searching of online courses by category, date, or location. This feature also lets you control which users have access to certain courses, offering flexibility in content delivery.
Choosing the right LMS with these features ensures better engagement, flexibility, and measurable success.
What Outcomes Are Important?
- The top LMS offers online learning that is easily accessible and flexible, meaning that it can be accessed 24/7 from anywhere and anyone, regardless of impairments.
- Instructors spend more time developing and creating courses that resonate with people's learning needs in higher education and in corporate functions. Therefore, the content is engaging and increases learner productivity.
- Instructors can also personalize and customize online learning so it fits the unique needs and preferences of each learner. For instance, they may allow collaborative learning opportunities for those who have trouble completing tasks on their own.
- A management system has the ability to offer insights and data regarding the progress of each learner and course completion rates. Therefore, higher education institutions and corporations can make necessary changes and improvements.
- You might be in an industry that clings to content that uses these sets of technical standards. High standards give you the ability to track and trace the results of your learners in your LMS. SCORM compliance is a great feature to have because you can create your online courses in any authoring environment and then run them in your SCORM-compliant LMS. xAPI compliance is ideal if you need to share learning between multiple applications and management systems. xAPI is an integral part of eLearning, especially if you're interested in informal and mobile learning. It helps track your learners' progress, and since eLearning nowadays is all about data and personalized learning paths, it will be very useful to you.
How Would It Work Within Your Organization?
Every company and educational institution is unique, and their learners' needs and objectives differ. To choose the right LMS, you must lead with your workflows and goals. The process may be long and complex, but you have to go through it carefully.
Determine Your Needs
Do you need to create courses that upskill and reskill your current employees or onboard new hires? Maybe you want to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Make sure to align your training process with your objectives.
Choose A Provider
From Moodle LMS and Canvas LMS to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), there are many options available. Check which provider's features, customization abilities, and integrations suit your needs the most.
Integrate
You probably have a tech stack you'll need to integrate your newly acquired LMS with. Your provider should be able to handle the procedure seamlessly and without misplacing or losing any data. Your HR professionals can monitor the process and gather insightful data.
Customize
You'll need to do two things: add your company's branding all over the learning material and customize each learner's path to match their needs and requirements depending on their roles.
Training And Support
Before granting access to everyone, provide training to your employees and learners so they know how to navigate the new system. This way, everyone feels confident and can solve any arising issues independently.
Feedback
You may try your new LMS with a small focus group. Based on their feedback, you can make corrections and improvements, ensuring smooth operations.
Monitoring
The feedback loop doesn't stop once the training starts. Keep asking your learners for their insights and monitoring their progress. Are some abandoning their courses? Why is that? Get to the root causes and address them promptly.
Criteria For Learning Management Systems
Globally recognized LMS experts including C. Pappas and our Editorial team did a thorough review of each vendor's eligibility and relevant published content (articles, eBooks, webinars). Our committee ranked the best LMS based on the following nine criteria:
- Core LMS Functionalities (25% of total score)
- Additional features (20% of total score)
- Expert score (30%)
- Usability (10% of total score)
- Reviews and recognition (10%)
- Value for Price (5% of total score)
- Employee turnover
- Company's social responsibility
- Economic growth potential
After checking who made our top Learning Management System list, make sure to delve into all the insights below. Focus on which steps you need to take to choose your ideal LMS solution.
How Much Do Learning Management Systems Cost?
Typically, online LMSs work with either a pay-per-user or subscription model. Subscriptions usually have various tiers based on the number of users and upgraded features. But that's not all. Other criteria may increase the cost of LMS implementation.
Number Of Users
In this case, clients pay based on the number of students that access the LMS platform. This solution is amazing for companies and educational facilities that know exactly how many enrollees they have. Therefore, billing remains consistent. However, it can be inconvenient if you have a number of inactive users you still have to pay for.
Features
Tier-based subscriptions often include more features as you climb the ladder. Most LMS tools offer extensive support and other tools, depending on your corporate learning needs. Chances are, the bigger the organization, the more features it will require from learning management software.
Customization
The best LMSs can customize the learning process based on a company's unique needs. This is typically used by large corporations that require enhanced employee and customer training. Pricing varies based on the features a company requires.
Deployment Type
Most business owners wonder which LMS would be the best option for their needs. If you are in such a dilemma, especially between choosing an open-source, cloud-based, on-premises, or custom-built LMS, we hope that this section will clear the air. These LMS options both have a long history. Through the years, things have evolved and features have been added, eventually leading to the following differences.
1. Open-Source
An open-source LMS requires installation and setup. One of the main advantages of an open-source LMS is that it is budget-friendly since you can find low-cost or even free solutions. Most LMS tools come with a set pricing model, which might exceed one's budget. An open-source LMS is a great choice for small businesses and institutions looking for a budget LMS. This type of LMS is installed on the company's server, meaning the company itself has to take care of maintenance and data. In case the client needs additional functionalities, they can do so à la carte.
However, if you opt for this type of LMS, you'll need to handle updates manually. Also, keep in mind that support can be found through forums and user communities. As with anything free, using a free LMS usually gives you limited features and courses, and you might not be able to have a large number of users. However, you'll still have a good overview of the software, making it a solid basic stand-alone solution. Plus, since it is an open-source tool, there are options for modification and enhancements for its users.
2. Cloud-Based
One of the pros you get with a cloud-based LMS is that no installation is required. This means that you have faster deployment. When it comes to budget, costs are based on each client's needs, making it more efficient and affordable in certain cases. In fact, a cloud-based LMS has considerably low startup costs. A cloud-based LMS is hosted on the provider's server, offering data security and maintenance by the provider. You get advanced versions, which may include many more functionalities. Such an LMS is considered user-friendly and also helps you avoid IT hustle.
In addition, software updates are automatic, giving you extra features on a cost-free basis. It is also mobile-friendly since it is optimized for responsive design. A cloud-based LMS would be a better option for those looking to deliver online training to multiple locations. What's more, client support, offered by the provider's experts, is available 24/7, so you don't have to worry about maintenance and data security. Finally, it offers subscription plan scalability, making it cost-effective. The best thing about it is that most cloud-based LMS providers offer a free trial, so you can try and see if it covers your business needs in a decent amount of time.
For more details, feel free to check our latest list featuring the top cloud-based Learning Management Systems.
3. On-Premises
This learning management option is run on your company's infrastructure, using your hardware and network. You are fully responsible for storing all data, including learning materials, training and course materials, learner progress, course content, and learning objectives. You are also responsible for managing courses and access to them, meaning your security level should be much better. In addition, you need to enroll students and learners manually and grant all necessary access. At the same time, you can access your learning platform offline, a feature that a few cloud-based LMS platforms offer, too, with downloadable content.
The negative side of incorporating such a Learning Management System is that you are burdened with the maintenance, infrastructure, IT support, and human resources aspects. Your upfront investment will increase, as you'll need to purchase all the necessary equipment to support your online learning and training. And if your entire personnel is forced to work remotely for a time, you will lose access to your online training courses and management system.
4. Custom-Built
If you can't find a Learning Management System that fits your needs, you can build your very own. You can either use your in-house tech experts or employ third-party collaborators to craft the perfect Learning Management System for you. This model allows you to customize your features and User Interface based on your learners' learning needs and goals. You can start building courses as you see fit and invest in blended learning successfully. Since in-person, instructor-led training has been largely abandoned, you must ensure you create content ideal for accessing through a mobile device.
However, this Learning Management System deployment type has no external support. It means that you have to pay for all infrastructure and technical support yourself in order to facilitate learning. While you can perfect personalized learning, you'll build your LMS a lot slower, and you'll have to rely solely on your personnel to fix issues and offer support.
Support And Training
Some LMSs already include training programs and support in their packages, while others offer it as an added feature and charge it extra. The purpose is to guide learners through the learning process and support the learning experience whenever difficulties arise.
Learning Management Systems: Frequently Asked Questions
Companies and educational facilities often have various burning questions about LMS and the best way to manage learning programs. Let's see which are the most common questions among your peers regarding learning management.
What Is A Learning Management System?
A Learning Management System provides training materials to higher education students and employees to educate them on various topics and prepare them for their job responsibilities. For instance, a company may provide courses and presentations to their sales team to show them how they should handle customer queries. There is not one single top LMS, but various effective solutions depending on your needs and company size.
Features Of LMSs
There are around 29 different features you can add to your Learning Management System. Some of them include course management, learning portals, branding, white-labeling, automation, surveys, webinar integrations, gamification, social learning tools, reporting, certifications, reminders, multilingual interfaces, etc.
What Is A Learning Management System Used For?
Learning management can be used internally and externally. You may utilize the system to train your employees during onboarding or upskill and reskill them. You may also use it to educate external collaborators and clients. Depending on your needs, you should choose the right features so everyone is satisfied with the final result.
What Are The Benefits Of Using An LMS?
- Cost-effectiveness due to its digital implementation
- Time-saving due to its convenience and self-paced rhythm
- Improved management thanks to streamlining
- Compliance due to effective mandatory training
- Data-driven results you can present to stakeholders
- Elevated learner experience
- Enhanced communication between instructors, learners, and management
Are There Different Types Of Learning Management Systems?
SaaS LMS (cloud-based), installed LMS (on-premise), mobile LMS, open-source LMS, custom-built LMS, and built-in authoring tools LMS. Learning management is a complex activity, and you should carefully pick your ideal LMS based on your goals and needs.
How Do Learning Management Systems Engage Learners?
Blended Learning
The combination of eLearning and classroom lectures can motivate learners in a unique way. Web conferencing and webinars can be utilized for digital lectures, while face-to-face workshops can also be implemented for practical lessons.
Gamification
Online learning often enforces points for progress, badges, leaderboards, and levels learners have to unlock as they proceed. Achieving new milestones and getting awarded for their efforts motivates learners to keep going, offering them a sense of satisfaction.
Social Learning Features
User profiles are a feature that allows learners to choose an avatar and add a few personal details to their accounts. Also, discussion forum features allow users to engage with each other and ask questions. Lastly, people can now share their certifications on social media and celebrate important milestones with their peers.
Mobile Features
Most Learning Management Systems are accessible on most smartphones and tablets, so learners can facilitate their training at any time.
Feedback Features
Surveys, questionnaires, and ratings are all clear indications of how learners feel about their online learning experience. Allowing them to disclose their opinion makes them feel appreciated and engages them further.
SCORM
Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) allows for the creation of eye-catching, interactive learning material. Authoring tools help Instructional Designers create stimulating presentations, videos, and assessments.
Bonus Alternatives: Top 3 Open-Source Learning Management Systems
Totara Learn
Totara Learn meets all the requirements related to your employees' roles, training needs, and objectives through the effective delivery of individual learning plans.
If you want to find out what customers say about Totara Learn, take a look at Totara Learn reviews here.
It provides rich functionality that can be implemented quickly and significantly reduces costs compared to proprietary solutions. This award-winning open-source learning platform is designed to help you develop, train, manage, and engage your staff.
Highlights
- Learning On The Go
It is fully responsive in terms of design. The User Interface adjusts seamlessly depending on the device. Mobile apps are also available through a partner network that can be extended or fully branded to be in harmony with the way your LMS looks and interacts.
- Learning Plans
Learning plans that show all the learning, competencies, and objectives employees are currently working on are available. Through learning plans, learners can monitor their progress and directly access their respective online training activities. You may manage the process with approval workflows, comment boxes, and notifications.
- Flexible Authoring Options
Totara Learn combines instructor-led, self-paced, and social learning all in a single online training course. It is a very flexible system that permits full control over roles and permissions, course progression, group-based online training activities, and much more.
Achievements
Totara Learn is featured in the ultimate list of open-source LMSs.
Plans And Pricing
Pricing for Totara Learn is based on the total number of active users per year. A range of user tiers is available.
Moodle LMS
Moodle is widely known among open-source LMS solutions. Most importantly, it's entirely free of any charge and comes with a mobile application.
Check out the latest Moodle reviews!
It features detailed guides on how to set up your own Learning Management System, tips on how to create online training courses and teach with Moodle, as well as a large community of Moodle users who interact on various topics.
Highlights
- Detailed Guidelines
Moodle features extensive tutorials for various aspects of Learning Management System use, including installation, teacher and administrator quick guides, course setup, learner progress tracking, activity setup, and mobile application guidelines.
- Moodle Community
This open-source Learning Management System comes with a forum that covers tips and best practices on a plethora of topics ranging from installation and upgrading, all the way to teaching best practices and a comprehensive glossary of terms.
- Download Section
Moodle's Download section offers plenty of additional plugins for activities and themes.
Achievements
Moodle is among the platforms forming the ultimate list of open-source LMSs.
Plans And Pricing
No premium pricing options are available, as Moodle does not require any subscription fee.
Open edX
Open edX is a tool that empowers learners to access online course content, including videos and textbooks, and to check their progress in the online training course.
Read what other members in the eLearning Industry community say about Open edX.
The Open edX LMS also has a discussion forum and a wiki at your disposal, that both learners and course team members can contribute to. There is also a dashboard through which the online instructor can enroll online learners, produce reports, and administer an online training course as it runs.
Highlights
- Open edX Studio
This is the tool for building your online training courses, creating structure, and then adding course content. You also manage the course schedule and the course team, set grading policies, publish each part of your online training course, and more.
- Community Support
There's a discussion forum and Open edX Insights, which will prove to be of great help. The community structure includes webinars, upcoming events, and blog posts, and members benefit from interactions with experienced members.
- Accessibility
The emphasis is first on learner-facing interfaces and then on content management. Practical guidance is enhanced to make course teams self-sufficient in producing accessible online training content and identifying accessibility defects. edX has an eye for identifying accessibility checkpoints and requirements in key business processes.
Achievements
Open edX is placed among the ultimate list of open-source LMSs.
Plans And Pricing
No premium pricing options are available since it is an open-source, freemium tool.
LMS Consultation, LMS Reviews, LMS Directory Listings
Still don't know which LMS is the right fit? You can also get an LMS consultation tailored to your needs in as little as three minutes. This simple four-step process will help you find the Learning Management System that works best for you. Whether it's your first time with a Learning Management System or you are looking to transition from your current LMS, we are here to help.
There are so many Learning Management Systems out there that the task of finding the right one can prove to be quite difficult. This list contains the best solutions the market has to offer. If used right, it can significantly aid you in addressing the needs of your online learners. If you have a preference for a specific Learning Management System, make sure to submit a review in our Learning Management Systems directory.
Are you an LMS vendor? Don't forget to create a free listing in our LMS directory. The process is simple and won't take more than three minutes.
Explore eLearning Industry's Top LMS Lists Per Use Case
If you need more specialized insight and your goal is to determine the extended enterprise LMS that is right for you, then you can evaluate your options and invest wisely by taking advice from this list of the Best Enterprise Learning Management Systems. In the same article, you will also find a list of 8 questions that will guide you through the selection process.
If your interest is solely in customer training, check out the article Best Customer Training LMS Software to find out about the must-have features to facilitate the online training process and keep your customers engaged.
If you are leaning toward opting for an open-source LMS and want to learn the possibilities it brings, check out this list of the Top Learning Management Systems With Open Source to make a safe choice. Research extensively to find the open-source solutions that meet your expectations.
Are you looking for a cloud-based LMS? Don't miss out on the valuable information you can find in this article featuring the Top Cloud-Based Learning Management Systems.
Test-driving a learning platform gives you the ability to see if its features and functions are worth the investment. That's why this list of the Best Learning Management Systems Offering An LMS Demo, along with 10 questions that can help you determine if the LMS platform is right for you, can help you evaluate your options and invest wisely.
Read Reliable LMS Decision-Making Resources
There are a few pointers to keep in mind when looking for a free LMS consultation. How do you decide your must-have LMS features, and which ones can fall by the wayside? Are you getting a free LMS consultation without being sure of your LMS implementation schedule? Can LMS consulting really help you achieve the best LMS value for money? Learn how to make the most out of free LMS consultation by downloading the eBook LMS Vendor Selection Process Made Easy: Tips To Use Free LMS Consulting To Improve eLearning ROI.
Need help choosing a Learning Management System for your company? It's always best to try before you buy! Delve into this list of the Best Learning Management Systems Offering LMS Free Trials. It will help you see if the features and functions are worth the investment. Plus, there are 9 tips to help you make the most out of your LMS free trial.
Last but not least, make sure to check out our eBook: Making The Case For Corporate Training Software: How To Choose And Implement A New Corporate LMS For A Healthier Bottom Line to discover what top Learning Management System experts have to contribute to the subject.
References:
[1] Learning Management System (LMS) Market worth $37.9 billion by 2026 - Report by MarketsandMarkets™
[2] Learning Management System (LMS) Market to 2025 Global Analysis and Forecasts
[3] Top 10 e-Learning Statistics for 2014 You Need To Know
[4] The Top eLearning Statistics And Facts For 2015 You Need To Know
